When to go to India

The best time to go to India

Broadly speaking, India is governed by the classic monsoon cycle and the rains fall between May to October, which is wet and very humid. The months between November and February are considered the best times to travel, as this is after the monsoon rains but before the increase in heat, which builds steadily from March onwards. However, this is also India’s peak tourist season and popular hotels, trains and boats can be oversubscribed during this time, therefore it can also be worth considering travel at other times. We can use our expert knowledge to advise on when you should plan your trip, depending on what you would like to experience.

A country as vast in size and scale as India experiences huge variations in climate, with weather conditions in the northern areas contrasting hugely to those in the south.

When to go

This is a guide for the country as a whole, indicating good times to plan a holiday, taking into account popular places to visit, wildlife encounters and overall weather. Please remember that where in the country will vary depending on month of travel.

Tigers

Regional India

Regional differences should be considered when planning your trip, as the months between January and September are on the whole the more comfortable months to visit the south, whilst the North is better between March and August. Delhi can be stiflingly hot and best visited in spring and autumn, whilst the best months to visit Bombay are between November and February. If you are visiting the Himalayas in the far north of India, then the summer months can be a wonderful time to travel, before the snows come and summer brings a warm, bright climate which is much more pleasant than the stifling heat of the plains.

Wildlife

If you are looking to see snow leopards in the Ladakh region of the Himalayas, the winter months are the best time to do this, when the leopards come down from higher altitude searching for food. Or perhaps your main focus is tiger viewing in one of India’s many famous national parks? The best time to visit these tiger parks and witness these majestic big cats in their natural habitat is between October and mid-April.

When to go to India if you want to experience...

Birdwatching

Migratory birds arrive in Bharatpur between September and October.

Luxury mobile camping

Head to Satpura National Park during during the dry season (December to March) for the ideal camping experience.

Exploring Kerala

The months between October and March are the best time to visit Kerala, although December and January can be very busy here.

Snow Leopards

These elusive predators descend from the mountains during the winter, which is the best time to see them.

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Festivals

India celebrates many exciting festivals throughout the year and these can mean a very interesting time to visit India. One such festival is Holi in March, the festival of colours, when it is common for people to smear bright colours on each other’s clothes and faces, or throw coloured powder or water over one another. For those who like to keep themselves pristine, this is a time to avoid India. On the other hand, this festival is a literal riot of colour which will make for some wonderful photo opportunities.

Many of India’s other festivals take place between the busy, cool season between November and February, such as Durga Puja, Diwali, Goa Carnival, Desert Festival, Bikaner Camel Festival, Pushkar Mela, Kartik Purnima Snan, and Makar Sankranti which can attract large crowds, and this is also wedding season – a fantastic time to see street processions!